1968: august 5

On this date in 1968, the Republicans began their national convention in Miami to nominate their candidates for President and Vice-President. The candidates for president included:

Six governors, including two Rockefellers (Nelson and Winthrop), a future president (Ronald Reagan), and the father of a 2008 candidate (George Romney).

One former governor, Harold Stassen, who ran for the nomination a total of nine times.

Three senators, including Hiram Fong, the first person born in Hawaii to run for President. The third such person is Barack Obama.

The mayor of New York City, John Lindsay, who later in the convention nominated Spiro Agnew for Vice President. By 1972, Lindsay was again a candidate for President, as a Democrat.

One former Vice President. Guy named Nixon.

A Senator from Massachusetts, Edward Brooke, received one vote for Vice President. Two years earlier, Brooke had become the first African-American Senator of the 20th century. There wasn't another African-American Senator until 1993. Recently, it has been revealed that Brooke had a long-lasting affair with Barbara Walters, FWIW.